Beautiful landscape and beautiful people. There aren't any commercial flights from outside of the Caribbean, so you'll need to book or charter a small plane or take a ferry to get to the island from St. Maarten. We took the ferry once which wasn’t bad and while I prefer flying, just a warning: landing on the short runway is not for the faint hearted. Don't forget your espadrilles, chic of-the-moment beach tote and a spray tan (no tan lines here). We loved the rougher side of the island and perhaps my favorite activity was renting scooters to explore it a couple of days after New Years—it gets quiet almost immediately. Hike to the Grand Fond natural pools for a little cardio and adventure. December-January is peak party season--NYE in St. Barth's is legendary--so depending on what kind of experience you're going for, you may or may not want to go during this time. If you do plan to go around New Years, book accommodations 6+ months ahead of time (seriously) and restaurant reservations at least 4-8 weeks in advance.
Getting around St. Barth’s is an entertaining (albeit stubbornly outdated) adventure. This isn’t somewhere I’d necessarily recommend renting a car, as valet isn’t always an option and the roads are tricky at night. Rent a scooter in advance and find a few reliable taxi drivers during your time there—ask your hotel, friends and waitstaff for their recommendations, and make sure to save numbers or take photos of the business cards of the drivers you meet. If possible, plan a time to be picked up at the time you’re dropped off, and have backup numbers—you never know who may answer their Whatsapp at 4:00am. During holidays, plan for wildly inflated prices. As you’ve probably gathered there’s no Uber, but search the App store for St Barth Taxi which worked somewhat reliably during our last visit.
Where to Stay: If your goal is to be in the middle of the scene, stay at the iconic Eden Roc. For something more peaceful, Hotel Le Manapany has beautiful luxury private cottages and feels a bit isolated--we loved our room, and the owner and staff were absolutely lovely. Hotel Le Toiny is also on the quieter side of the island and is drop dead gorgeous with arguably the best views on the island. Cheval Blanc is chic with a great pool area and a nice stretch of beach. Villas or Airbnb rentals are also great options—we rented near Lourient during our last visit, and loved that it was a quick 5 minute drive to Gustavia and the party beach stretch, but felt a little removed.
Where to Eat: No, you can't forget to eat--a diet of champagne and cigarettes will ruin your glow. For daytime, spend the day swimming at Shellona and grab a late lunch to get out of the sun. For something casual, L’Isoletta is right in Gustavia town and serves yummy Italian bites and one of the best cappuccinos I’ve ever had. Kiki-e Mo has healthy smoothies, juices and food and is centrally located right across from Nikki Beach. La Petit Colombe has delicious takeaway coffee, pastries and sandwiches to tote to the beach. Cheval Blanc serves a great beachside lunch where you can rent chairs for the day, but skip the formal brunch at the main restaurant. For dinner, Bonito is an upscale favorite and has the best cocktails on the island served alongside great seafood. Tamarin has a delicious eclectic menu served in what feels like a stunning secret garden. Le Bouchon is a casual local spot for burgers and a nice break from the scene. If you’re ready for a party dinner, go to La Guerite or Bagatelle.
Where to Play: Chill drinks and DJ at Le Carl Gustaf or Shellona. On the main stretch, check out Gyp Sea for a fun, slightly more casual scene. For a wilder daytime scene, Eden Roc or Nikki Beach. Find a fun house or yacht party. For a kitschy St. Barth’s rite of passage, go to Le Ti for a dinner-burlesque show to start off your night.
